Refuge

A walk in a garden

I am standing in a garden about to go for a walk. Around me autumn leaves swirl as the wind tugs at my hair, teasing it out of the hairband which is losing its fight to hold things together. Hair whips across my face. I squint as the sunlight catches my eyes. It feels like as good a time as any to begin a walk. I turn and face the path, stepping out, I follow, letting it take me as it wishes. I walk and eventually I am greeted by a face which is familiar in a heartfelt way. We smile and together we walk on the path, muttering and sighing about this and that, seeking beauty in all that is around us, taking comfort in the refuge a garden space provides. It is our haven.

Gardens have many purposes and as noted in ‘Everybody need beauty’ they

“… create a holding space for anyone who needs it…. this is what a garden can become - a refuge to hold emotion, a kind of bath to slip into and out of the world, until you are strong enough to emerge.”

Over the course of a number of years my friend and I met and walked in our local botanical gardens. These walks became a comfort, a routine, and a space, amongst other things, to grow and bloom like the many flowers we strolled past. Most walks we took our cameras and a quiet collection of memories were captured.

I have spent this past year reflecting on this journey and what it meant. Through my exploration I found the story of the garden as a teacher to two souls for whom walking together was easier than walking alone. Some walks were fluid and sure, others we bumbled along together. Most days we learnt something and there was always beauty to be found. I created words to describe this journey, then I added pictures to capture what words could not say and formed it into something to share.

“Refuge- A walk in the garden” is the seasonal story of a friendship, and how a garden space allowed this friendship to grow and blossom. For a time this garden was a space to walk in, to think, to share and learn life lessons from nature. It was where we became kin to each other.

Refuge is a collection of short narratives which summarise a seasonal moment, complete with an image taken from one of our many walks. Each narrative has a theme or musing that aligns with the seasons. It will be a yearlong walk. Each step a gentle mediation, a thoughtful pause from the busyness of life.

This story is now written and waiting to be shared. For this first iteration, the story will be shared via this space in the form of a weekly email, delivered to you directly so you can digest at your leisure. I like to think of it as something that will create a connection for you to the season and to yourself. A moment of reflection.

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The details:

What do I get when I sign up:

• a weekly newsletter containing a new reflection and image delivered via email straight to you.

• Access to the archive for a full year in an exclusive online space

• The ability to purchase a print of images which are part of this project.

• An invitation to be part of the private chat group where I will share additional material. These are echoes of what I have collected along my journey creating this project.

• First to know of related goodness connected to this story.

The cost to join is $60 (NZD) for one year as a one off sign up or $7.50 NZD per month payment plan if you prefer.

As I value your support until Saturday the 6th of April I am offering an exclusive additional 20% off.

To give a taste of what this journey will be like next week I will share for free the first walk.

I hope you will join me. Let’s go for a walk together.

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Today’s image is one from the rose garden and has long been a favourite. If you are interested in purchasing a print please respond to this email and I will send you the ordering details.